RĀMĀYANA (Rāmāyaṇa), Skt., lit. “The Life Story of Rāma”; the oldest epic in Sanskrit literature, attributed to the legendary saint Vālmīki. The oldest, purest version stems from North India (fourth century B.C.E.) and underwent substantial revisions in Bengal over the course of subsequent centuries. The work contains 24,000 couplets arranged in seven chapters (kānda); it describes the life of Rāma and Sītā, Sītā’s abduction by Rāvana, the battle with the demons, the return to Ayodhyā, and finally their death and ascent to heaven. The story’s adventures, described in broad, dramatic strokes, and its many outstanding characters have made it, next to the Māhābharata, the most important source for all genres of Indian literature.
The Rāmāyana is still widely venerated today in India and Southeast Asia. One of its introductory verses states: “He who reads and repeats the holy, life-giving Rāmāyana is liberated from all sin and attains heaven.”
The seven kāndas are as follows: (1) “Bālalakānda,” the story of Rāma’s childhood; (2) “Ayodhyākānda,” Rāma’s life in the capital city Ayodhyā and his banishment; (3) “Aranyakānda,” life in the forest and the abduction of Sītā; (4) “Kishkindhyākānda,” Rāma’s life with his monkey allies; (5) “Sundarakānda,” Rāma’s crossing over the bridge to Ceylon; (6) “Yuddhakānda,” the battle with Rāvana, the demon king’s death, the rescue of Sītā and the return to Ayodhyā; (7) “Uttarakānda,” Rāma’s life in Ayodhyā, Sītā’s banishment, their reunion, death, and ascent to heaven.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Documents on the Ramayana
Books on the Ramayana
External Link: Ramayana